Interview: CCH Pounder of NCIS: New Orleans Lets the Good Times Roll in the Big Easy

Veteran actress CCH Pounder has starred or co-starred in practically every great American TV series since the 1980s, including “Cagney and Lacey,” “Hill Street Blues,” “Miami Vice,” “The X-Files,” “E.R.” “Sons of Anarchy” and many more. Not to mention the fact that she’s starred on the big screen in feature films like “Avatar,” “The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones” and “End of Days,” to name a few. Next up for this talented and versatile actress is playing Dr. Loretta Wade on “NCIS: New Orleans,” which has its series premiere tonight at 9/8c on CBS. The show also brings her back to co-starring with former “Quantum Leap” star Scott Bakula, who stars in the new “NCIS” spinoff.

Celebrity Extra: You have such a prolific acting resume that you’re bound to work with some of the same people more than once — back in 1990, you co-starred on an episode of “Quantum Leap,” and now you and Scott are both on “NCIS: New Orleans.”

CCH Pounder: Oh, we were babies back then! How fabulous. It was ironic that we remembered each other so very well over the years, so it’s really great.

CE: What’s also great is the fact that your series premieres right after the season premiere of the original “NCIS.”

CCH: We’ve got a very sweet time slot. Quite honestly, if it fails you’d probably just have to go in the bathroom and shoot yourself. Everybody loves “NCIS.” People want to see more of it. Ignoring all of that, the point is that you get to be an actor, and you are reading scripts all the time, and hopefully your talent will find the sweet spot for it. I’m working on my third episode, and so far I’m feeling pretty damn confident.

CE: One of the things that works so well for the original “NCIS” is the chemistry between everyone. How’s your cast coming together so far?

CCH: My and Scott’s chemistry from working together has fallen into place very, very quickly. And I am really tickled with Rob Kerkovich, who just joined the cast. He’s very funny; he’s like a big geek god for everybody. We’ve had really good chemistry as well — those are basically the two main people who I work with.

CE: Tell me about filming on location in the Big Easy.

CCH: I think it’s becoming sort of like the next big place to film, besides Toronto. I saw at least five or six other location guides scouting areas. Are we all playing up in the swamp this year?

CE: I haven’t visited New Orleans since before Hurricane Katrina. How is the city coming along?

CCH: Where I am is a slightly touristy area, so everything is exceedingly optimistic. There is construction everywhere; it’s like Beijing. They are building like crazy; they are knocking down like crazy; they are repurposing. I am in the Art District, and every warehouse is being turned into living spaces — it’s just surreal.

There are areas where you still see the houses with the quadrants and the marks on them. There are places where the houses have giant holes in the roof, and they are abandoned. And there are also neighborhoods where people just didn’t come back. There might be two or three people living on that block.

CE: While the show does follow the “NCIS” format, it is indeed its own show, with a different feel and attitude compared with its predecessor.



CCH: Yes, absolutely. First of all, the place has its own character. It is a different kind of temperature, certainly, and atmosphere, absolutely, but also the pace of it is not as uptight as it would be in, say, Washington. It covers a wide swath of the Southern Belt, from New Orleans all the way up to Alabama. It deals with Navy Criminal Investigation — the framework is the same — but the people and the contents and the pacing are quite different.

CE: Tell me about your character, Dr. Wade.

CCH: Originally, the medical examiner was described as a British, intellectual, well-read personality, but I really wanted to go completely the opposite and be a much more emotional personality, one who has a lot of concern about the families of the deceased. And I really tried to make her kind of a sassy gal. Also, I wanted her brightness to be intuitive. She’s got the medical chops, but I didn’t want her to give medical legalese to the people who are not in that profession. She speaks to them in a plain and simple way about what happened. When speaking with other medical people, then she can be versatile within her medical language. I think we found a really nice balance.

CE: What about character/actor crossovers from “NCIS” to “NCIS: New Orleans”?

CCH: Everyone wants to come to New Orleans. Joe Spano was here last week; Meredith Eaton was here; Michael Weatherly is here now. So the food and the laissez les bons temps rouler (“let the good times roll”) attitude have enticed a lot of them to come on down.

CE: Last time we spoke, there was talk of an “Avatar” sequel. Is that still in the works?

CCH: Every time I begin to doubt, thinking, “Oh gosh, I guess it’s not happening,” they call and check in with: “Hey, how you doing? How’s your availability?” Well, it’s here. So, I guess whatever time is needed to finish writing or whatever preproduction is needed — whatever the new machinery is, the new cameras, the new technology. The technology was racing so quickly when we were doing the first “Avatar” that by now I am pretty sure that they have come up with a whole other set of things to be worked out. So, I will say that it is somewhere on the back burner.

CE: And knowing how brilliant the first one was, I’d venture to guess it’ll be worth the wait.

CCH: Oh yes, it’s always worth the wait. It really doesn’t matter how you look, as long as you still have the acting voice, because the Avatar will do the visual part for you.

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Q and A: Week of Sept. 18

CCH Pounder (photo by Geneva Morgan)

Q: Last season’s “NCIS” finale was a two-parter that featured Scott Bakula and CCH Pounder, which seemed like it was a setup for an “NCIS” spinoff. Is that going to happen? — Brenda S., Joppa, Md.

A: “NCIS: New Orleans” is definitely happening. In fact, it premieres on CBS Sept. 23 at 9/8c, right after the season 12 premiere of “NCIS.” The crime-procedural drama stars Scott Bakula, CCH Pounder, Lucas Black, Zoe McLellan, Rob Kerkovich and Paige Turco.

As the title would suggest, the series is set and filmed in the Big Easy, and while it follows the “NCIS” formula, the show definitely has a feel all its own. Series star CCH Pounder told me recently: “The pacing is definitely different. It’s a different kind of temperature and atmosphere, certainly, but also, the pace of it is not as uptight as it would be in, say, Washington. It covers a wide swath of the Southern belt from New Orleans up through Alabama. The framework is the same, but the people and the content will be quite different.”

But just because the people are different, it doesn’t mean that familiar faces won’t be showing up now and again. CCH explained: “Everyone wants to come to New Orleans. Joe Spano was here last week; Meredith Eaton was here; Michael Weatherly is here now. So the food and the ’laissez les bons temps rouler’ (’let the good times roll’) attitude have enticed a lot of them to come on down.”

Q: Now that Jennifer Esposito has reappeared on “Taxi Brooklyn,” why did she ever leave “Blue Bloods”? I thought that it was reported she was ill? — Tony via email

A: Back in 2012, Jennifer collapsed on the “Blue Bloods” set due to complications from celiac disease and missed a week of work. Her doctor advised her that she needed to cut back her work schedule. Rather than work around her schedule, CBS put her on an unpaid leave of absence (and even implied that her collapse was a stunt to get a raise), and refused to let her obtain limited work in the meantime. When her contract with the show expired, she was able to look for work elsewhere.

Jennifer currently is co-starring in the action-drama “Taxi Brooklyn,” which is based on Luc Besson’s feature film called “Taxi.” Luc is best known for “Leon: The Professional,” the “Taken” films, the “Transporter” series, “The Fifth Element” and much, much more. “Taxi Brooklyn” wrapped its first season on NBC Sept. 10; there is no word as of this writing of a second season.

Q: I love Bill Cosby’s comedy. Does he have plans to return to TV? — Robert M., via email

A: NBC announced at the Television Critics Association tour this summer that it was developing a comedy for Bill Cosby, which could premiere as early as summer 2015. The series is described as a “multi-camera, classic extended-family sitcom,” with Bill as the patriarch.

Q: On your suggestion, I started reading Breeana Puttroff’s “Dusk Gate Chronicles” series, and I couldn’t put them down. I tore through the entire series in two weeks. Will she be releasing any new books soon? — Mary Anne K., Allentown, Pa.

A: Breeana’s new book, which is slated to be released in late September or early October, is called “Rumplestiltskin’s Daughter.” As of now, it is planned to be a stand-alone book, not a series, but as Breeana told me, you never know.

“So far as I know it’s a single story. You know, my brain does strange things. I thought ‘Dusk Gate’ was done after ‘Blooms of Consequence,’ so I don’t know for sure. But probably if it did turn into a series, it would branch off from a few different characters. Like maybe a same world and same storyline, but focus on different people.”

So, what is her new book about? Breeana summed it up for me: “The story is basically a what-if retelling of the Rumpelstiltskin tale. The idea behind it is that tales are told by the most powerful, so the stories that get passed down are from one point of view. And so ‘Rumpelstiltskin’s Daughter’ is, what if Rumpelstiltskin isn’t a bad guy after all? In the real story, the heroes are not nice people. A king and queen get married because he forces her to spin gold for him, and yet Rumpelstiltskin is portrayed as the bad guy. So, my story is more an examination of that.”

Q: When will “Gone Girl” be released at the theater? Seems like I’ve been waiting forever! — Deanna R., via email

A: The long-awaited Ben Affleck-starring thriller — which is based on the best-selling novel by Gillian Flynn, who also wrote the movie’s screenplay — will be in theaters on Oct. 3. Save me a seat and some popcorn, because you can bet I’ll be there!

Q: We watched “Lone Survivor” last night on DVD, and the actor who played the new guy that they were giving a hard time looked familiar to me. What else has he been in? — Amelia D., via email

A: Alexander Ludwig, who played newbie Navy SEAL Shane Patton, is perhaps best known for playing Cato, the career tribute from District 2 in “The Hunger Games.” He’ll also play Bjorn (Ironside) Lothbrok — Ragnar and Lagertha’s now-grown son — in the upcoming season of the History channel’s “Vikings,” which likely will air in spring 2015.

Q: I can’t get enough “Outlander”! Please tell me it will be back for another season. — Eleanor W., The Villages, Fla.

A: I am thrilled to tell you that after its record-shattering opening weekend, Starz did indeed renew the time-traveling/fantasy/historical-drama/romance series for a second season. Early reports say that the second season will be at least 13 episodes (but I'm thinking it'll end up being at least 16, like this season), and it will be based on Diana Gabaldon’s second book in the “Outlander” series, “Dragonfly in Amber.”

Q: Like the rest of the world, I was shocked and heartbroken to hear about Robin Williams’ suicide. I know he was working on some movies before his death. Will any be released posthumously? — Kelli F., via email

A: The consummate funnyman with a heart as big as his funny bone left this world way too soon, as I’m sure we all can agree. He did leave behind four movies that have yet to be released: “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb,” “Merry Friggin’ Christmas,” “Boulevard” and “Absolutely Anything.”

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Q and A: Week of Nov. 15

Q: I love watching “Family Feud” and think Steve Harvey is doing great, but what happened with John O’Hurley? Why did he leave? He was a terrific host! — Gina T. in Texas

A: I spoke with John (pictured left, photo credit Virginia Sherwood/NBC) recently to talk about his other hosting duties, that of the ninth-annual National Dog Show presented by Purina (which airs on Thanksgiving Day after the Macy’s Parade), and he told me the reason behind his departure: “I had a wonderful time hosting ‘Family Feud.’ They wanted to move the show to Orlando, but with my child responsibilities here that just wasn’t going to happen. So, I just have to look at it as four phenomenal years. I miss the show dearly, but it frees me up to do so many other things. I’m back on Broadway, and will be heading back to Broadway again, and those are things that I just couldn’t do as freely when I was committed to ‘Family Feud.’” John is very grateful that you enjoyed him on the show, as well as the MANY other readers who wrote in to me to tell me that they missed him.



Q: I remember awhile back you reported that “Avatar” star CCH Pounder told you that there would be a sequel. Is that still in the works, or was it just wishful thinking? — Travis G., via e-mail

A: Would I, or CCH Pounder, ever steer you wrong? There are actually TWO “Avatar” sequels in the works. 20th Century Fox hopes to have the first of the as-of-now-untitled sequels in theaters by December 2014, with the third movie released the following December 2015. Director/visionary James Cameron released this statement: “In the second and third films, which will be self-contained stories that also fulfill a greater story arc, we will not back off the throttle of ‘Avatar’s’ visual and emotional horsepower, and will continue to explore its themes and characters, which touched the hearts of audiences in all cultures around the world.”

Q: When is HBO’s “Big Love” coming back for its fifth season? — Justine D., via e-mail

A: The hit drama series about a Salt Lake City businessman (played by Bill Paxton) and his three wives (Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloe Sevigny and Ginnifer Goodwin) will return for its fifth and final season on Jan. 16.

Q: I read that they were making a sequel to “Napoleon Dynamite.” Is that true? — Flint M., Akron, Ohio

A: It’s not exactly a sequel. Fox has ordered six episodes of an animated version of the 2004 cult hit, which starred Jon Heder and Efren Ramirez (as Napoleon and his friend Pedro). Efren told me that one episode is already in the can and that everyone is thrilled with it. He told me that “it appeals to everybody, and it’s funny. It’s got all of the original cast and the original writers. And it’s Fox, and as you know, Fox does a great job with animated series.”

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Interview: CCH Pounder Is Astounded by Avatar

If you haven't seen Avatar yet, I have to assume you've been in a coma or on the International Space Station (although, I'll bet they've seen it up there). The movie has broken box-office records all over the place, and it's gearing up for a limited second run in IMAX 3-D and regular 3-D theaters starting this Friday. (Check your local movie theater listings for details.) This time around, you can expect the story you know and love, as well as new scenes and additional, extended footage.

I had the pleasure of speaking with CCH Pounder (pictured left, photo credit Geneva Morgan) about her role in the blockbuster smash: She played Mo'at, the mother of Neytiri and also the spiritual leader of Omaticaya clan of Pandora.

Celebrity Extra: When you first read the part of Mo'at, what did you think of her as a character and did you immediately connect with her?

CCH Pounder: The funny thing is that I hadn’t read anything because it was so top secret so that when we gathered together, we had a false script. We did lots of improv just for the pretending to speak a different language. So immediately I thought, “This is going to be very interesting here.” And I was thinking, “Oh my God, I’m probably going to have to learn Russian or something.” But very quickly I realized they were going to create a language for the film. And I thought, “Create a language? Why can’t we just say uka laka a gaga?” That sounds like a language. And here they got this professor who was going to create a language from scratch with syntax and adverbs and adjectives. I was absolutely blown away at the type of detail that I was going to enter into. From the very beginning, that was the excitement. Then the actual role appeared and we were official — even though you couldn’t say the word Avatar, it was such a hush-hush project.

When we actually started to do the work, it was really exciting to play a sort of Shaman queen, who very much had an equal amount of power over her husband in a specific area. I thought that was kind of a wonderful thing. Obviously my husband, Eytukan, was so much like the warrior man if need be, calling the troops together, keeping the enemy or the strangers or aliens away from territories. That was sort of his command. Mo’at (pictured, credit Twentieth Century Fox) had this spiritual end of it that would investigate and inspect what these people might be like if they happen to come upon their land, which I thought was fairly marvelous.

CE: It’s wonderful that both the men and women in the Na’vi clan have an important role to play.

CCH: It also made something work for me in a funny way that we don’t have as earthlings, in that when you’re in that kind of community, everyone has a duty, everyone needs to know how to fight, how to swim, how to survive if you’re lost. It had that feeling of we all have these things we have to do. So when you take a look at other countries and think, “Oh wow. As a woman I’m not allowed to read. I’m not allowed to learn.” Two places, kitchen and bed. And maybe that’s why those countries are lacking in advancement.

CE: What was the filming process like? Did you do all your stuff with a green screen?

CCH: There was no green screen; there was a giant gray box. Those of us in the case, for the most part, everyone seems to have come from the theater, or from a dance background for physicality. So the imagination was really important, because you were working in a giant gray box. We were not in any costumes that told you what you look like, although, you could see it immediately on screen. You could see your Avatar come to life. If you moved, it moved. 

But you were working in the giant gray box; you’re basically wearing a silver suit with a helmet with a camera attached to it. So there is a camera about 5 inches from your face, so it captures all of your expressions. Everything is gray, so when the horses come in, they are covered in gray material. When trees are falling, they are gray columns falling. Obviously they are much lighter weight. You’re playing with foosballs basically, and everything is gray. So, it really required your imagination to run the gamut and really, it was like theater play, which was really great. I think that’s why there was such a large theatrical troop used who knew film as well.

CE: Could you have imagined, in your wildest dreams, that Avatar would become the monstrous blockbuster that it is?

CCH: I really was blown away. There are a couple of things that made me really happy. Regardless of the fact that this is a fairly familiar story, it’s a story of our journey. It’s about people. So there was a familiarity about the story itself, but what made me really happy was regardless of this magnificent change James Cameron had done and the world that he had created, the story itself was so strong, and I really appreciated that. The story comes through. And while you are watching the story, you get to see this extraordinary life form all around you: flora, fauna, everything out of his imagination and the artists who helped to create them. And I thought, “That was really fantastic!” I remember John Landau (producer with James Cameron) showing me 45 minutes of footage that was incomplete. Your face wasn’t properly filled in; your fingers weren’t quite right. And I was like, “What’s to complete?” I thought it was already there. So a year and a half later, this huge jump that they did was pretty extraordinary. 

My only regret now is that they’ve done such a good job that people feel we voiced this as opposed to we physically created those characters, spoke those languages, cried those tears, learned how to walk slightly different. All those things we created as actors. I’m particularly distraught that Zoe Saldana didn’t get acknowledged for her acting as opposed to, “Oh, what great voice acting.” You are attached by wires and plugs, and you have to forget all about that and actually create the character and do the work. I thought it was so wonderful, and I’m just sorry that people didn’t realize that. But it is also testament to what a fantastic job Jim did that people just felt the creatures were created.

CE: How was James Cameron to work with?

CCH: He is intense, just like the reputation goes. I think he probably knows all the technical parts of filming. He understands cameras and computers and so on. I keep saying actors are really lucky to get to work with Jim Cameron, because you’re with a very innovative man who has his own sense of film-making. So you are going to be working with sort of a genius-level guy, but he doesn’t know how to act, therefore you’re always in the glory spot. We were very lucky.

CE: Just all the stuff that went on behind the scenes to make this come to fruition — it’s hard to comprehend all the talent and expertise that went into bringing this world to life!

CCH: What’s really difficult is that, even though we worked on it forever — we worked on it for a year and a half — and I walk through the art department and there is some major art work. All I kept saying is: “Oh my gosh! These guys could have exhibitions for days! I wish I could represent one of these artists,” because of the beautiful renderings they have. I’m sure there are going to be a gazillion books come out of this. But when you’re looking on that bare stage, and you’re just creating these characters and you don’t see a complete world, you think, “OK, what we did, I feel it’s good.” And then when, like I said, John Landau showed me that 45 minutes of the movie, it’s skeletal, it’s bare, it’s raw. And I said, “Ooo, but the story is shining through.” So I knew it was going to be good. But the final results, where it went, I was completely clueless. I had no idea that it would do this. I feel like I was in the smallest cult film for Bagdad Café, and I’m in the biggest cult film ever in Avatar. So I’m very, very thrilled that I got to participate.

CE: Your resume is so impressive and extensive — what are some of your favorite roles and why?

CCH: I’ve got several. Definitely Bagdad Café was, is still today my sentimental favorite because that was the film that changed other people’s lives. (Laughs) People are going to think I grew up in a convent; my sense of service is like, “Oh, I did something for other people.” Because I get thousands and thousands of letters and e-mail of when people saw Bagdad Café they decided to take a particular action. The sense of courage and bravery that those two women had in terms of dropping all their superstitions, their stereotypical ideas, dropping all of that away to create a friendship. I was shocked that it related to so many different areas for other people’s lives changed that. So that was really thrilling. And just in terms of performance, I think a very quiet performance of Booker T. Washington’s mother, I don’t know how long ago, still holds up to today in terms of when I look at it I don’t see myself anywhere. I just keep following along with the story of this quest for education. I thought that was really spectacular. In Prizzi’s Honor, I just loved the voice I used, Peaches. It’s no big mark in my life, but I just loved the fact that I get a tickle when I hear that voice. And Avatar has now obviously made its mark.

CE: Who would you love to work with?

CCH: Well, my super-idol is still Meryl Streep. She is consistently brilliant and consistently excellent. I guess I have kind of a more European way of thinking, the idea of when you do something well you praise people forever and you hold them up, as opposed to “Give me the next thing. Give me the next thing.” That’s my girl. I have worked with her before, but I’d love to do something on a different caliber. I was lucky enough to do Postcards From the Edge with her, but I think I’ve grown leaps and bound since then.


I have a couple of things I still want to do. I’ve also got a film I’d love to do that just as Mr. Cameron said, “Well, we just couldn’t do it before because technology hasn’t caught up.” I have a very similar story that I want to tell that also came from a dream that I couldn’t do then, but I would love to do now. Technology has caught up with my dream.

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Q and A: Week of May 17

Q: While I love hearing about all the “Twilight” kids, I’d really like to know what my favorite vampire, Peter Facinelli, has in the works. — Ingrid S., via e-mail

A: Peter Facinelli, aka Dr. Carlisle Cullen, is ready to prove his action credentials — he’s reportedly signed up to star as World Lightweight Champion Vinny Pazienza, called “Paz.” The boxer stunned doctors by returning to the ring just three months after a near-fatal car crash in the 1990s. The movie is set to start shooting next year. Peter also has written a movie for the Hallmark Channel, in which wife (and “90210″ alum) Jennie Garth will star. He’s also keeping busy on the small screen as Dr. Fitch Cooper on Showtime’s critically acclaimed series “Nurse Jackie.”

Q: I was so happy that TNT picked up “Southland” earlier this season when NBC failed to renew it for the second season. Is there any word yet on whether TNT plans to give it a third season? — Gerry F., Scranton, Pa.

A: TNT recently announced — to the delight of many die-hard fans — that it has renewed the critically acclaimed cop drama “Southland” for its third season. The 10-episode Season Three will begin airing in January 2011. TNT executive vice president Michael Wright praises “Southland” as “a challenging, visceral show that engages viewers with its immersive style, provocative story lines and complex characters.” And by the looks of my mailbag, many of the show’s fans agree.

Q: I first saw “Avatar” on the big screen in 3-D at Christmastime, and I wasn’t too sure I’d like it as much watching it on DVD on my small screen at home, but I am glad to say I was wrong. I am amazed that such an epic movie can also be so warm and intimate, as I find it to be this way on my 50-inch television screen. What do you think? — Davey P., via e-mail

A: I couldn’t agree more. I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that “Avatar” is not just an action/special-effects vehicle, it also is a wonderful story. When I spoke with CCH Pounder (who played Mo’at) recently about her attraction to the story line, she had this to say: “There are a couple of things that made me really happy. Regardless of the fact that this is a fairly familiar story, it’s a very strong story. It’s a story of our journey. It’s a story about people. And while you are watching the story of these people, you get to see this extraordinary life form all around you.”

Q: When will the new “Sex and the City” movie be out? I think I might explode in anticipation. — Nikki R., Fort Worth, Texas

A: Hold on just a few more days! “Sex in the City 2″ is due in theaters on May 27. Note that this is a Thursday, and not the usual Friday (or Wednesday) opening day.

Q: I am thrilled that so many of my favorite shows from the 1970s and ’80s are beginning to show up on DVD. Can you tell me when “Falcon Crest” will be out on DVD. I can’t wait! — Janet U. in Florida

A: Wait no longer. “Falcon Crest: Season 1” is now out on DVD, and can be found wherever DVDs are sold and rented. I also can’t wait to re-live those Tuscany Valley memories, with Angela’s scheming, Lance’s lady-killing and Maggie’s voice of reason. It is especially fun to see Susan Sullivan’s portrayal of Maggie back then compared with her hilarious Martha Rodgers (Castle’s mom) on “Castle.”

Q: I love the addition of Rob Lowe to NBC’s “Parks and Recreation.” What else does he have coming up? — Irene T., Brunswick, Ga.

A: Along with his “Parks and Rec” duties, Rob Lowe will guest star in the fourth season of the Showtime series “Californication.” Rob will play Eddie Nero, a neurotic yet talented movie star who is in the running to play Hank Moody (David Duchovny) in the film version of Hank’s hit novel. Rob will appear in at least one episode, but could become a recurring character.

Q: My mother and I are loyal viewers of the daytime soap opera “As the World Turns.” We were so sad to hear that Helen Wagner, who had been on the show since it premiered back in 1956, had passed away. How are the other cast members taking the news? — Shelli F., via e-mail

A: Helen Wagner, 91, who passed away May 1, was a soap opera icon. She even held the Guinness world record for playing the same character on TV for the longest period of time. I spoke with longtime friend and cast mate Eileen Fulton (who has played Lisa since 1960) about Helen’s passing, and she told me she felt a little shell-shocked. “My one regret is that she didn’t hang on a little longer to wrap the show up (which ends its run in September). That’s the thing that keeps haunting me. She spoke the first words on the show; we all were hoping she’d have the last words too.”

Q: I was a faithful viewer of the sitcom “Becker,” and I would like to know what the star, Ted Danson, is up to lately. — Sara S., Fort Worth, Texas

A: Ted co-stars in the Glenn Close legal drama “Damages,” which airs on FX. He also co-stars in the HBO comedy series “Bored to Death.” When Ted’s not working, you can find him tending to his organic garden at his and wife Mary Steenburgen’s home in Ojai, Calif.

READERS: A few months back, I held a contest for five lucky readers to win a DVD of Taylor Hicks’ “Whomp at the Warfield” concert DVD. Scores of loyal Taylor Hicks fans (and Celebrity Extra readers) correctly answered this question: What songs did Taylor sing in the “American Idol” finale, which ultimately crowned him the winner? (The songs were “Living for the City,” “Levon” and “Do I Make You Proud?”) Winners in the drawing were: Tammy Krebs of Groton, Conn.; Amy Hicks (no relation to Taylor!) of Theresa, N.Y.; Dorothy Mayes of Roanoke, Va.; Nicholas Russo of Norwell, Mass.; and Nancy McConnell of Stansbury Park, Utah. Keep an eye on your mailboxes, folks. Taylor Hicks is on his way!

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Q and A: Week of March 15

Q: I really loved “Avatar” and have been hearing talk of sequel(s). Please tell me this is true! — David G., via e-mail

A: Director James Cameron has hinted that the rumors are true. I spoke recently with CCH Pounder (pictured left; photo credit Geneva Morgan) — who plays Mo’at, the mother of Neytiri and the spiritual leader of Omaticaya clan of Pandora — and she also verified that the idea of further adventures on Pandora is definitely a great possibility. CCH explains: “I know that he (James Cameron) did semi-announce that he is going to make a sequel — that he is going to take a break, but he did have a story idea. I think perhaps it was always that this would be some sort of a trilogy story.


“I don’t think it would take as long, because we already have the world of Pandora created, and it all exists in the digital world. All you have to do is put the story and characters in it. I think, Suzy, his wife, would greatly appreciate a break, and his children would love to see him hang about a bit. He’s kind of a workaholic guy. It might be four years, and it might be next year (that he starts working on it).”

Q: I was really starting to get into the new Fox show “Past Life,” but I suddenly can’t find it on the schedule anymore. Has it been canceled, or is it merely on hiatus? — Charity E., via e-mail

A: After airing only three episodes, Fox has decided to pull the plugged on the struggling and poorly received supernatural crime thriller. It has been replaced by original episodes of “Kitchen Nightmares.”

Q: I am a huge fan of “American Idol,” and was wondering what one of my favorite past winners, Taylor Hicks, is doing now? — Margie F., Hartford, Conn.

A: The Season Five winner of “American Idol” is currently touring the country in “Grease,” playing the role of Teen Angel. He also recently released his first concert DVD called “Whomp at the Warfield,” which is sure to delight members of his “Soul Patrol.” When I caught up with Taylor recently, he told me how much he is enjoying trying his hand at acting: “(Being in “Grease”) has been great. It’s allowed me to get into acting and understand role-playing, and it’s just a great starting point for me in the acting field.”

Q: Is it true that someone is making a film about Facebook? How is it possible to turn that into a film? — Frank J., via e-mail

A: Production has begun on “The Social Network,” which stars Rashida Jones, Justin Timberlake and Jesse Eisenberg, and is directed by David Fincher (“Fight Club,” “Se7en,” “Panic Room” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”). Shelby Young (“Days of Our Lives” and “Wild Child”) recently finished shooting her supporting role in the film. While she couldn’t tell me much about the movie or her role in it (they have all signed confidentiality agreements so the story doesn’t leak out), what she could tell me is that the movie is about the founders of the social-networking site Facebook. Like many of the film’s stars, Shelby admits, “I am such a huge fan of ‘Fight Club,’ so the chance to work with David Fincher, I just couldn’t pass that up.” Look for “The Social Network” in theaters come October.

Q: At the end of last season it was stated that “Friday Night Lights” was coming back this year. Has that changed? I haven’t been able to find anything about it. — Phillis M., via e-mail

A: Season Four of “FNL” is slated to premiere Friday, April 30, on NBC. Per an agreement with DirecTV, the fourth season already aired on The 101 Network from October 2009 through this past February, with NBC re-airing the season coming next month. If you want to be surprised by what happens this season, beware of online spoilers from those who already saw the episodes on The 101!

Q: For this final season of “Lost,” I am as confused as ever — and LOVING it! I also love one of the newer characters, Jacob. What can you tell me about the actor who plays him? I know I’ve seen him in other things. — Melanie C., Dayton, Ohio

A: Mark Pellegrino (pictured left; photo credit Eric Williams), 44, who has played Jacob on “Lost” since the end of the previous season, has been in a ton of movies, such as “The Big Lebowski,” “Mulholland Drive,” “Capote” and “National Treasure.” On the small screen, he is most known for playing the Devil on “Supernatural” and Paul Bennett on “Dexter.” I asked Mark when we chatted recently if it was intimidating for him to join such an established, phenomenon of a show so late in the series.

“Luckily I didn’t know it was such a huge phenomenon until I landed on the island and was told,” Pellegrino said. “When you audition, the character sides are not the character you are auditioning for, and the scenes are just made-up stuff to throw off all the people on the Internet who are so anxious to get the material. I had no idea what it meant until I got there and they told me I’m Jacob. And then it dawned on me what a big deal it was.”

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